The Ravens on Thursday had a spirited but at times uneven two hours of practice, which again featured players not wearing helmets.
Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar broke free in the middle of the end zone, lunged forward and hauled in a pass for a touchdown on a trick play Thursday, a moment he celebrated by punting the ball to midfield at the team’s practice facility in Owings Mills.
It was a rare highlight in what was a spirited but at times uneven two hours of organized team activities open to the media, which again featured players not wearing helmets. It’s the second-to-last voluntary session for the players, with one more coming Friday, as Baltimore prepares for next week’s mandatory three-day minicamp before breaking until training camp in late July.
In all, 18 players were absent Thursday, including veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who has yet to appear this spring.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson, meanwhile, was in attendance for the third time in the six practices that have been open to the media, though he wasn’t as sharp as he was earlier in the week. The same could be said about other players, too.
Kolar, who also had a nice outstretched grab on the sideline, had several drops, including one in which he beat rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa deep down the middle only to have Jackson’s perfectly thrown pass go right through his hands.
Jackson, backup Josh Johnson and rookie sixth-round pick Devin Leary all had their share of struggles, too, including in seven-on-seven play, which is usually when the offense dominates. One poorly thrown lob from Leary was easily intercepted by defensive back Tre Swilling. Jackson, meanwhile, was off-target at times with his throws as well.
On the upside, quarterback-turned-receiver Malik Cunningham had a nice afternoon, which included snagging a pass in the corner of the end zone among a crowd of players.
Meanwhile, Tampa and fellow rookie Devontez Walker were matched up several times, including one sideline route to the end zone in which the wide receiver had a step on Tampa. But Leary badly overthrew him.
Still, coach John Harbaugh has been impressed by the progress of the two first-year players, among others.
“Both those guys are getting better every day with technique and assignment,” he said. “Probably all the rookies [are] ahead of where we would have expected in those two areas.”
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson spins the football on his finger during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was in attendance Thursday for the third time in the six practices that have been open to the media. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
An invited spectator smiles, spotting Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson who passes during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was in attendance Thursday for the third time in the six practices that have been open to the media. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens tackle Roger Rosengarten speaks with the media at the end of organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens tackle Roger Rosengarten speaks with the media at the end of organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens guard Andrew Vorhees speaks with the media at the end of organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker at the end of organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens head football coach John Harbaugh at the end of organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker returns from the field at the end of organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Qadir Ismail at the end of organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens head football coach John Harbaugh at the end of organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Malik Cunningham tosses to running back Justice Hill during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens center Julian Pearl sets during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens tackle Roger Rosengarten takes a break during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens guard Andrew Vorhees practices during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens tackle Roger Rosengarten sets during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens tackle Darrell Simpson participates during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens guard Andrew Vorhees waits his turn during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley, left, and offensive lineman Patrick Mekari talk during Thursday's practice. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens' Andrew Vorhees holds the pad for TyKeem Doss while Darrian Dalcourt works with Tyler Linderbaum during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens guard Darrian Dalcourt gets close to tackle Julian Pearl while striking the pads during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
At center, Baltimore Ravens tackles Roger Rosengarten, Darrell Simpson and Daniel Faalele stand together during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Emory Jones exchanges hugs with center Tyler Linderbaum during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens tackle Roger Rosengarten holds a pad as guard/tackle Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu strikes during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Invited children leap for a football during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers shares information with Dayton Wade during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens tackle Roger Rosengarten listens to a coach during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens linemen including guard TyKeem Doss and tackle Julian Pearl hit each other during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh hits the pads during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson exchanges a playful push with a coach during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Bump Cooper Jr. hits a padded ring during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens safety Ar'Darius Washington ducks beneath a pad during organized team activities at the Ravens training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
While several players were absent Thursday, the Ravens did get a few players back.
Outside linebackers Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo both returned, with Ojabo doing individual work. Also returning was running back Justice Hill.
Several notables were missing, however, including wide receiver Rashod Bateman, running back Derrick Henry, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, safety Kyle Hamilton, defensive tackle Michael Pierce, tight end Isaiah Likely and cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens and Arthur Maulet.
Humphrey, who was in attendance the first week of OTAs but working off to the side, should be back next week, according to Harbaugh.
“We’ll see whether it’s full go or not,” he said. “I don’t know yet.”
Rookie third-round outside linebacker Adisa Isaac (hamstring) and undrafted free agent safety Beau Brade (ankle) of Maryland could also be back at practice next week.
Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley, left, and offensive lineman Patrick Mekari talk during Thursday’s practice. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Offensive line remains highly competitive
One of the most important areas to watch this summer will be along the offensive line, where both guard spots and the right tackle job are up for grabs.
Perhaps that explains why the group’s attendance over the past three weeks has been exceptional. That was the case again Thursday with all 16 offensive linemen on hand, including veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who was among the more vocal players during practice. So far, he’s looked fit, is in good spirits and has impressed.
The same is true of many of the other players up front, including 2023 seventh-round draft pick Andrew Vorhees and 2024 second-round pick Roger Rosengarten, who are in the mix for starting guard and right tackle spots, respectively.
Guards Ben Cleveland and Sala Aumavae-Laulu and tackles Daniel Faalele and Patrick Mekari are also possibilities for starting roles.
“I’ve seen a lot of big guys who can move, work hard, can pick things up quickly,” Harbaugh said. “So far, every single guy looks like he could be the starter. Now we get into pads, we get into preseason games, let the guys compete against one another and see who wins the jobs. All of them are still in contention at this point.”
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was in attendance Thursday for the third time in the six practices that have been open to the media. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
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